Three Pagodas -Dali
Day 3) Drive to Yuanyang rice terraces built by the Hani
people over thousands of years. During our stay in the area we will try to catch the miracle of the morning light and the
firey glow
of evening as the fields reflect all the colors of the setting sun. A photographers dream. Overnight in Xinjie.
Day 4) Visit Zhang
Family Garden (Tuanshan village) then drive back to Kunming by way of Fuxian Lake, the second deepest freshwater lake in China. You'll
have a fresh fish lunch in a local fisherman's house. Overnight in Kunming.
Day 5) Morning flight to fabled Shangri-la. Visit nearby
Zhongdian Tibetan Monastery completed in 1681. During the time of high prosperity more than 3,000 monks were in the temple, now there
are only 700 monks living there. In the evening stroll through the Zhongdian Old Town, have a tasty Tibetan dinner then go to the
central square and enjoy the dances of the local people. Overnight in Shangri-la.
Day 6)Today you'll continue along the Tibet-Yunnan
road through beautiful mountain scenery, along the Yangtzi river, deep into the mountains to Dong Zhu Lin Monastery, first built in
1667. The main hall is a four story wood and earth
structure surrounded by 82 tall trees. The monastery also enshrines a 6.8 meter high, gilded bronze statue of seated Buddha of Qiangba and 10.5 meter tall statue of Sakyamuni both gifts from Sera Monastery in Lhasa. There will be many photo opportunities along the Yangzi river as you continue the drive to Baimang Snow Mountain Pass, a National Nature Reserve at 4250 meters above sea level. Overnight in Shangri-la.
Day 1) Arrive in Kunming, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Kunming.
Day 2) After breakfast, visit the Stone Forest a fantastic maze
of limestone pillars, pathways, and pools covering more than 300 square kilometers. Once a seabed 200 million years ago, uplifting
and erosion have created these bizarre shapes known as The Stone Forest. In the afternoon, drive to Jianshui, the cultural center
of southern Yunnan Province. Here you'll see the 400 year old Chaoyang Tower, the second largest Confusian temple in China, and Zhu
Family Garden formed by 250 rooms and 42 courtyards. Overnight in Jianshui.
Day 7) Before leaving Shangri-la, you'll visit a local Tibetan village, then drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge, believed to be the deepest
gorge in the world. Continuing the drive you'll arrive in Lijiang where you'll spend time walking through the Lijiang Ancient Town,
a UNESCO World Culture Heiritage site. Overnight in Lijiang
Day 8) After breakfast and morning walk through Ancient Town while it is
still quiet, you can visit Baisha Naxi village and Baisha Ancient murals. Baisha (white sand) is located north of Lijaing and was
the center of the Naxi people before Kublai Khan made it part of his empire (1271-1368). The murals and frescos for which Baisha is
also known date from the MIng Dynasty (1368-1644) and are unique because they combine Buddhism, Taoism, and Lamaism. In the afternoon,
you'll visit the Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Culture Museum. Free time in the evening to explore. Overnight in Lijiang.
Day 9)
Morning drive to Dali. On the way to Dali, you'll travel on an old road through areas few tourists get to see as the locals go about
their daily lives. In Dali, visit the famous Three Pagodas and stroll through the Dali Old Town where you can sample some of the excellent
local foods. Overnight in Dali.
Day 10) Morning flight to Kunming for departures or continue traveling.
email: mtnadv@netshel.net
Stone Forest, Yunnan
10 Day tour
